As you will see from the diary,
on Wednesday there will be a Westminster Hall debate on District
Heat Networks.
The debate will be moved by , Conservative MP for Carshalton and Wallington, who has
given us the following information in advance:
"I have called the debate to discuss concerns I have about
protecting consumers whose homes are heated and/or powered by these
networks.
"I have a new build housing estate in my constituency called New
Mill Quarter, which is supposed to be heated by excess heat from
the nearby incinerator (or “Energy from Waste facility”), but
have suffered very regular outages, there’s been two serious
incidents involving the fire brigade having to be called out in
the power plant room on the estate, and residents are paying way
above the average market rate for their bills to name just a few
issues.
"What has become evident in the year that I have been helping
them, is that they really are stuck. There’s next to no
regulation of these networks, they are not able to change
providers and look for a more reliable source of heating their
homes, and they have no entitlement to things like compensation
when things go wrong.
"My debate is going to call for, at the very least, greater
consumer protections and regulation, but I would also suggest
that the Government actually looks at ensuring that all homes
must be free to choose not to be part of these networks, a.k.a.
regulate so that new builds must not only connect to a nearby
DHN/DEN, but also ensure residents can vote with their feet and
switch providers if they want. Competition drives down prices and
ramps up reliability as providers compete for business, which
should be available for residents here too."
Mr Colburn has offered an advance copy of his speech and we
will send through the Hansard when it is available.
